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The developer behind the proposed has dropped its plan to build and operate a natural-gas-fired power plant at the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park in Troutdale.

Now it looks like FedEx, which operates a distribution hub nearby, will explore the possibility of expansion at the Port of Portland-owned site.

In a letter dated Jan. 26, Troutdale Energy Center LLC principal Willard Ladd notified the Oregon Department of Energy that the company intended to withdraw its application from consideration. was for construction of a 652-megawatt plant at a vacant site that formerly housed a Reynolds aluminum plant.

鈥淏asically, it’s dead,鈥� said Nathan Baker, staff attorney for Friends of the Columbia Gorge, a nonprofit involved in two challenges to the proposal. One is an appeal now before the Oregon Court of Appeals that聽Troutdale Energy Center LLC has said it would ask the court to dismiss. The other was a contested case before an administrative law judge that was dismissed this week.

A number of groups vocally opposed the Troutdale Energy Center project, which would have occupied 80 acres beginning about 500 feet west of a Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area boundary. Advocacy organizations filed evidence assuming impacts to air and water quality, wildlife, recreational amenities and viewshed. Notably, the Oregon Pilots Association claimed that emissions would threaten air travel over Troutdale.

Troutdale Energy Center LLC’s application was filed in 2012 鈥� the year Portland General Electric began looking for new energy sources following its decision to close the state’s only coal-fired power plant. That 550-megawatt plant, in Boardman, is scheduled to shut down in 2020.

In March 2015, FedEx Ground went before the Port of Portland Board of Commissioners to purchase lot 1 (14.5 acres) in the industrial park.

鈥�(FedEx) had an option on lot 3 鈥� the same lot tied to the TEC 鈥� so we’re now moving forward with them on that,鈥� said Melanie Mesaros, spokeswoman for the Port of Portland. 鈥淏ut there hasn’t been anything finalized.鈥�

The sale of lot 1 is under way. The sale agreement includes an exclusive option to purchase two additional lots for expansion.

The company confirmed the action through a spokeswoman.

鈥淲e are making inquiries with the appropriate authorities about any necessary approvals to a proposed expansion of our existing hub in Troutdale,鈥� wrote Nikki Mendicino of FedEx Ground public relations.